The maker started this project because they wanted to avoid the expense associated with purchasing existing equipment. This custom 5-axis setup features a metal frame constructed from square tubing and aluminum plates. It is supported by linear guide rails, ball screws, and an articulated tilting spindle head. The machine runs on linuxcnc full 5axis with rtcp, and the custom CAM supports both model import and gcode export to various machines.
Attention to detail is visible in the construction, particularly the blue tubing used to route air or coolant to the spindle carriage. The software interface offers a 3D CAM and machine simulation, showing axis coordinates for X, Y, Z, A, and C. The maker also implemented a built-in post processor editor within the CAM software.
For the first operational test, a rectangular wooden block was clamped vertically within the chuck. The spinning end mill executed the operation using multi-axis coordination, generating a toolpath labeled Toolpath 11: 5-Axis Flat Roughing Copy. The custom CAM successfully generated this initial 5axis toolpath for testing. This work is a great demonstration of custom fabrication. However, a question remains regarding the current setup, as it appears to be only 2+1 axis movement.